73-1209. Kansas commission on veterans affairs office; director; duties. The director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office, in accordance with general policies directed by the governor, shall:

(a) Collect data and information as to the facilities, benefits and services now or hereafter available to veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, and furnish such information to veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, and local service officers of veterans' organizations.

(b) Prepare plans for a comprehensive statewide veterans' service program.

(c) Coordinate the program of state agencies which may properly be utilized in the administration of various aspects of the problems of veterans, and relatives and dependents of veterans, such as the Kansas department for children and families, the department of labor, the state board of education, the board of regents and any other state office, department or board furnishing service to veterans or relatives or dependents of such veterans.

(d) Provide a central contact between federal and state agencies dealing with the problems of veterans and relatives and dependents of such veterans.

(e) Maintain records of cases handled by the director which shall show at least the following information: (1) The name of the veteran; (2) the claim or case number of the veteran; and (3) the amount of monthly benefit received by the veteran, so as to facilitate the necessary interchange of case histories among state administrative agencies and provide a clearinghouse of information.

(f) Provide such services to veterans and relatives and dependents of such veterans as are not otherwise offered by federal agencies.

(g) Provide a central agency to which veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, may turn for information and assistance.

(h) Provide and maintain such field services as shall be necessary to properly care for the needs of veterans, and relatives and dependents of such veterans, which shall not be operated in connection with the Kansas department for children and families.

(i) Provide certification of service of a veteran of the armed forces of the United States of America in a combat zone to any sentencing judge requesting such certification pursuant to K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6630, and amendments thereto.

(j) Adopt, amend or revoke any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of article 12 of chapter 73 and article 19 of chapter 76 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto.

(k) Appoint and oversee the superintendents of the Kansas soldiers' home and Kansas veterans' home.

(l) Designate persons who shall be in charge of the member funds at the Kansas soldiers' home under K.S.A. 76-1935, and amendments thereto, and the Kansas veterans' home under K.S.A. 76-1956, and amendments thereto.

(m) Appoint and oversee the deputy director of veterans services pursuant to K.S.A. 73-1234, and amendments thereto.

(n) (1) Annually prepare and submit a written report to the house committee on veterans, military and homeland security and to the governor, providing the following:

(A) Any progress made by the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office and its director in response to any recommendations provided to such office in the preceding fiscal year by the legislative division of post audit;

(B) information on the current financial control practices implemented by the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office for the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home, including, but not limited to, the current policies and procedures at both facilities;

(C) information on the current residential care services provided for veterans in the Kansas soldiers' home and the Kansas veterans' home;

(D) recommendations for legislation necessary to ensure that the needs of the veterans in Kansas are met; and

(E) any other information deemed necessary.

(2) The director of the Kansas commission on veterans affairs office shall submit the report on or before the first day of the legislative session in 2015, and each year thereafter.

History: L. 1951, ch. 433, § 3; L. 1953, ch. 361, § 5; L. 1976, ch. 370, § 84; L. 2004, ch. 179, § 96; L. 2014, ch. 95, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 117, § 8; July 1.

Section was also amended by L. 2014, ch. 83, § 9, but that version was repealed by L. 2014, ch.117, § 10.